Rwanda Budget Safaris - Explore the Land of a Thousand Hills Without Breaking the Bank

When most travelers dream of African safaris, their minds wander to Kenya’s Maasai Mara or Tanzania’s Serengeti. But for those seeking a unique, intimate, and budget-friendly safari experience, Rwanda Budget Safaris offers a world of wonder waiting to be explored. Famously known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” Rwanda combines breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and vibrant culture, perfect for budget-conscious explorers.

Our Rwanda Budget Safaris are expertly designed to provide unforgettable encounters with nature and wildlife while keeping costs pocket-friendly and reasonable. Whether you’re planning to track the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, witness the Big Five mammals during our captivating game drive safaris and boat rides in Akagera National Park, or immerse yourself in the chimpanzee tracking, canopy walks and the newly introduced Zipline and Rope course of Nyungwe Forest National Park, GoWild Forever Journeys provides you with plenty of cost-effective packages tailored to suit your travel needs without sacrificing the thrill of adventure.

Why Choose a Budget Safari in Rwanda?

Rwanda is a very small country with a 26,338 sq. km in size. This compact size makes it ideal for short but action-packed itineraries, including 1-day safaris to the most precious encounters in the world, “Gorilla Trekking Safaris”, and 1-day Big Five safari excursions to Akagera National Park. With excellent roads and a reliable transport system, you can cover multiple national parks in a few days without spending excessively on travel. GoWild Forever Journeys offers group tours, mid-range lodges, or comfortable budget lodges and campsites, making it possible to enjoy a high-quality experience at a fraction of the cost compared to other African destinations. We also help you arrange logistics like booking your accommodation at unbeatable discounts and securing your gorilla permits, for those guests who prefer self-driving options. 

Additionally, Rwanda is one of the safest and cleanest countries in Africa, offering a seamless travel experience even for first-time visitors. English, French, Swahili, and Kinyarwanda are widely spoken, and locals are known for their warm hospitality. All these factors make Rwanda a fantastic destination for travelers who want authentic experiences on a pocket-friendly budget.

What to Expect on a Rwanda Budget Safari

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

The world’s most awe-inspiring wildlife experiences, gorilla trekking brings you face to face with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. While the permit costs $1500, there have been discounts introduced by the government to attract budget-conscious travellers. These include the following.

1. Low-season discount: Imagine getting a 30% discount on the normal price of the Gorilla permit. Yes, this means you pay 1,050 USD for the gorilla permit instead of 1,500 USD per person. However, to get this discount, you are required to spend at least 2 nights in either Akagera or Nyungwe National Parks. Meaning you combine either Nyungwe or Akagera with Gorilla trekking. The requirements for this include Proof of payments for activities and accommodation in the above destinations. Find out more information on the RDB Website. 
2. Residents/ Africans: These pay 500 USD per person. This also only works during the low season.  

Big Five Safari in Akagera National Park

This only savannah park in Rwanda is home to the big five mammals, including lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalo, and more animals like giraffes, antelopes, waterbucks, bushbucks, and much more. 

Chimpanzee Tracking and Canopy Walks in Nyungwe Forest

This ancient rainforest is home to chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and over 300 bird species. Budget tours offer guided forest hikes to encounter chimpanzees, canopy walks, and tea plantation visits. Additionally, the introduction of the longest Zipline in Africa, coupled with the rope course, has increased the activities to undertake while on a budget safari. 

Cultural Encounters

Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage adds depth to any safari. A Visit to traditional villages, local markets, genocide memorials, and the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village near Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll witness traditional dances and participate in local rituals, local banana beer making and tasting, traditional dance, basket weaving class by the Rwandan women, and herbal medicine experience

Lake Kivu Retreat

The best way to wind down your Rwanda budget safari is with some relaxation at Lake Kivu in Gisenyi or Karongi. These areas offer adventurous activities like kayaking, boat cruises, night fishing, and stunning sunsets from lakeside budget resorts, offering the perfect way to reflect on your journey in serene and scenic comfort.

Kigali City Tours

Our Safaris are always curated to start or end with a city tour to allow you to spend time in Rwanda’s vibrant capital, Kigali, which is arguably the cleanest and safest city in Africa. A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial is free. Guests are only required to donate 20 USD for the audio guide. This is a place of deep sorrow, reflection, and remembrance. Here, the remains of over 250,000 souls lost in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi rest in eternal peace. Explore local art galleries and enjoy fine dining in the city's stylish restaurants. 

Tips for Booking a Rwanda Budget Safari

1. Travel during Off-Peak seasons: The dry seasons (June–September and December–February) are ideal for safaris but can be pricier due to the high demand and influx of travellers to Rwanda. Consider traveling during the low season months of March–May and October to mid-December for lower and hugely discounted rates and fewer crowds. Because there are fewer travelers during this period, hotels and lodges are very flexible and willing to offer unmatched discounts. 
2. Book Group Tours: Joining a small group safari reduces transport and guide costs significantly while offering the chance to meet fellow travelers. In all Safari packages, there are shared costs on several logistics like Vehicles, hotel rooms, and even some activities like boat safaris. Traveling in a group could lead to sharing the cost of those items and hence making you spend less than what you would be paying as a sole traveller. 
3. Use Local Operators: Local tour companies often provide the best rates and are knowledgeable about budget-friendly accommodations and insider tips.
4. Choose Budget-friendly Eco-Lodges and Camps: Rwanda has many eco-friendly, budget-conscious lodging options that offer comfort and immersion in nature. These include Akagera Game and Akagera Transit Lodges in Akagera National Park, Lalocanda in the volcanoes, to mention but a few.

Budget Safari Accommodation in Rwanda

Kigali City:

1. Urban Park Suites Hotel
2. 5 Swiss hotel 
3. Five to Five hotel
4. Hill View Hotel
5. Hotel Chez Lando

Akagera National Park:

1. Akagera Game Lodge
2. Akagera transit lodge
3. Akagera rhino lodge

Volcanoes National Park:

1. Classic resort lodge
2. Lalocanda Boutique hotel
3. Davinci Gorilla Lodge

Nyungwe National Park

1. Chimpanzee lodge
2. Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
3. Emeraude Kivu resort

Lake Kivu

1. Inn on the Lake
2. Cormoran lodge
3. Moriah Hill Resort
4. Kivu Paradise Lodge

Plan Your Affordable Rwanda Safari with GoWild Forever Journeys

Whether you're a solo traveler, a backpacker, or a family seeking a memorable African adventure on a pocket-friendly budget, our customized Rwanda safari packages cater to your unique needs. Enjoy the same thrills, wildlife, and unforgettable moments as luxury safaris without the hefty price tag.

Contact us today and let our safari specialist start planning your Rwanda Budget Safari to explore the best of Rwanda with value for money expeditions, authenticity, and passion.